What is the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) 2014 - 2020?

The Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) 2014 - 2020 delivers Pillar 2 of the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). It funds economic, environmental and social measures for the benefit of rural Scotland. The SRDP is co-funded by the European Commission and the Scottish Government and reflects the 6 EU Rural Development Priorities.The programme also reflects the Scottish GovernmentNational Performance Framework (NPF).

The Common Agricultural Policy comprises two ʽpillars.ʼ The first pillar is support to farmersʼ incomes. This support is provided in the form of direct payments and market measures and is entirely financed from the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund. The second pillar is the support provided for the development of rural areas. This support takes the form of Rural Development programmes and is co-financed from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

The proposed SRDP 2014 - 2020was submitted to the European Commission on Thursday 19th June 2014 using the template provided. A separate glossary of terms that are used throughout the document.

What is available under the SRDP 2014- 2020?

Details of the Agri-Environment- Climate payment ratesfor the SRDP 2014 - 2020 are now available.

Rates are being discussed with European Commission so are in draft at present. We are aiming to achieve approval of these, and broader RDP plans, as soon as possible.

Please note that Forestry payment rates will be published once finalised.

What is the Key Purpose and Priorities for SRDP 2014 - 2020?

The key purpose of the SRDP 2014 - 2020 is to help achieve sustainable economic growth in Scotland’s rural areas and the priorities remains broadly the same as the previous programme: The main priorities are:

Enhancing the rural economy

Supporting agricultural businesses

Protecting and improving the natural environment

Addressing the impact of climate change

Supporting rural communities

A Partnership Agreement outlines how the SRDP 2014 - 2020 will have a joined-up approach with other European funds in Scotland for economic growth and fisheries.

Other information.

Fraud warning - Farmers across Scotland are advised to be alert to ongoing banking scams in which fraudsters are targeting the farming community.

Rural Matters Facebook page

To provide you with more information, we are inviting you to sign up to RPID’s new Facebook page, to help us engage with you, our rural stakeholders better. Please sign up now and press ‘like’ to follow us - Rural Matters.